Lessons Learned from Years with
Hiring trained animals for film is a decision that requires careful consideration, planning, professionalism, and a decent understanding of your production needs. Whether you’re shooting a movie, TV commercial, music video, or social media content, choosing the right animal actors and the right company to supply them can greatly influence the quality, safety, and overall success of your final project.
The first tip to consider when choosing the right trained animals for film production is to understand the type of animals your script requires. Different productions call for different behaviours, a calm companion animal, a dramatic flying bird, a playful farm animal, or even exotic species. Therefore, it’s important to partner with a company that offers a wide selection and can provide animals that match the exact actions your scenes demand. Many reputable providers also offer “animal teams,” to ensures consistency and reduce stress on the animals during long or repetitive shoots.
A second tip to consider when choosing the right trained animals for film production is experience. A company with a long history in the entertainment industry understands how filming works, the long hours, the unpredictable changes, and the need for animals who can safely and reliably perform. Trained animal handlers and wranglers should be well-versed in humane, positive-reinforcement methods. They must know how to keep both the animals and production crew safe, while still getting the required shots. Choosing a provider with experienced trainers also ensures your actors can interact confidently with the animals on set, which helps the scenes look more natural.
Third tip to consider when choosing trained animals for film production is behaviour suitability. Not every trained animal is right for every scene. Some animals excel at energetic actions, while others are trained for calm, steady presence. Before booking, clearly outline the actions you need: walking, running, flying, holding an object, reacting to cues, or interacting with performers. A good rental company will guide you on which animals are capable of performing these tasks and whether multiple animals should be rotated throughout the shoot.
And final tip to consider when choosing the right trained animals for film production is logistics. Transport, care, feeding schedules, rest times, and handling requirements must be factored into your production timeline. Reliable companies provide full support, from transportation to set, on-site animal handling, and post-shoot care. They are well-prepared to manage unexpected delays or schedule changes, ensuring that filming continues smoothly without compromising the animals’ welfare.
Film production companies that use animals in filming should practice high quality of ethics to ensure the company follows strict humane-care standards. This prioritizes safety, and avoids stressful, risky, or unnatural situations for the animals. Productions that handle animals with respect not only achieve better performances but also maintain a positive reputation in the filming industry.
Choosing the right trained animals for film is a blend of creativity, responsibility, and professionalism that can not be ignored. By selecting experienced trainers, choosing animals suited to your scenes, and ensuring welfare-first practices, your production can achieve realistic, engaging, and safe animal performances that elevate your final project.
